Matthew 22:28. Forgiveness of Sins.
This is a longer one.
As Christians, we have heard the word “forgiveness” hundreds of times.
Forgiveness means to “release or let go or forget.”
However, what is forgiveness according to the Bible?
Although I cannot give a full teaching, below are some of my thoughts.
Based on my reading of the Bible, there are three categories related to forgiveness:
-the forgiveness of God
-the forgiveness of one Christian toward another Christian
-the forgiveness Christians toward unbelievers
FIRST: The Forgiveness of God
The New Testament clearly states that God does not forgive everyone in the world.
God eternally forgives only those who truly repent and believe in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins. As 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
If we do not believe and accept God’s forgiveness of our sins, it has eternal consequences. The Bible tells us that at the judgment, believers will go to heaven, and unbelievers will go to hell (however we interpret hell).
So, God loves the world, but does not eternally forgive unbelievers.
SECOND: Christians Forgiving Other Christians
There are several Bible passages that emphasize Christians forgiving other Christians. This is very important to notice because these passages do not relate to forgiving non-Christians.
Matthew 18:21–22 says:“Simon Peter came to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother (fellow believer) sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.’”
Colossians 3:13 says: “Even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” (This passage is written to Christians about forgiving other Christians in the church.)
Ephesians 4:32 says: “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
Colossians 3:13 also says: “Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”
THIRD: Christians Forgiving Unbelievers
Matthew 6:14–15 says: “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
This Sermon on the Mount passage was given before the death of Christ. In this teaching Jesus is not replacing faith in His death with “forgiving others” as a new requirement for salvation.
Also, since Jesus was speaking to his disciples sthe Sermon on the Mount, this can easily be related to Christians forgiving other Christians.
We must ask, however, what does it mean to forgive unbelievers?
When talking about the forgiveness of unbelievers, we must remember that there are numerous degrees of sinful and evil actions committed by people.
REFLECTION
As Christians, we are to forgive as God forgives. God does not forgive everyone, as the existence of hell reveals.
Does the Bible require Christians to forgive a pedophile who rapes one of their children?
Does the Bible require Christians to forgive someone who has physically and sexually abused them?
Does the Bible require Christians to forgive someone who murdered a member of their family?
Over the years, I have heard many Christian leaders tell Christians that God requires those who have experienced extreme and lifelong trauma to forgive the evil people that committed these depraved actions against them.
I do not agree.
God does not forgive evil and depraved people?
Forgiveness must be understood in context of the severity of evil actions toward another.
I do not believe that Christians are required by God to forgive evil people and their actions.
I fully believe that GOD CAN BRING TOTAL INNER HEALING to people who have experienced deep trauma through the actions of evil people without forgiving them.
These are some of my general thoughts. This is not a thorough Bible study.
You might have some differing ideas, think through it for yourself.